2016 Audi A3 air bags problems
36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2016 Audi A3 — 44% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000…”
filed Mar 12, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperlyCampaign 22V543000 · Jul 27, 2022
- Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger…Campaign 21V198000 · Mar 22, 2021
Air Bags problems in other A3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 A3 | 17 | 52% |
| 2017 A3 | 16 | 36% |
| 2015 A3 | 45 | 51% |
| 2013 A3 | 10 | 50% |
| 2012 A3 | 31 | 72% |
| 2011 A3 | 20 | 47% |
| 2010 A3 | 13 | 26% |
| 2009 A3 | 22 | 47% |
| 2008 A3 | 24 | 56% |
| 2007 A3 | 32 | 62% |
| 2006 A3 | 56 | 46% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Audi A3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.